"I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud" by William Wordsworth
This poem, also known as "Daffodils," is one of Wordsworth's most famous works. It exemplifies his style and themes, particularly his focus on nature and memory.
First Stanza:
"I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze."
Highlight: The poem begins with the speaker comparing himself to a solitary cloud, emphasizing the Romantic theme of isolation and connection with nature.
Second Stanza:
"Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance."
Example: Wordsworth uses vivid imagery to describe the daffodils, comparing them to stars and emphasizing their vast number and lively movement.
Third Stanza:
"The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed—and gazed—but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:"
Vocabulary: Jocund - cheerful and lighthearted
Fourth Stanza (partial):
"For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is th[e bliss of solitude]"
Highlight: The final stanza emphasizes the power of memory and imagination, key themes in Romantic poetry.
This poem encapsulates many of the key elements of Wordsworth's poetry and Romanticismo inglese PDF, including the focus on nature, the power of memory, and the use of simple, accessible language to convey profound emotions and ideas.